April 23, 2020 – United Way of St. Joseph County is pleased to announce that it has been approved to receive a $1.6 Million COVID-19 Economic Relief Initiative Grant, made possible through a partnership between Lilly Endowment, Inc. and Indiana United Ways, the state professional association of which United Way of St. Joseph County is a member. These special funds will be used to boost the efforts of selected area human and social service nonprofits on the frontlines of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“United Way of St. Joseph County has been a key convener and coordinator of our community’s response to meet human needs for decades. Even before this crisis, we knew that 43% of families in St. Joseph County were not able to make ends meet – despite working. Without a robust local nonprofit safety net, those needs are bound to become even more dire. Thanks to generous support from the Lilly Endowment, Inc., we are now more strongly positioned to help our community’s nonprofits deal with the immediate impacts of Covid-19,” said Mark Herriman, Board Chair for United Way of St. Joseph County.

The COVID-19 Economic Relief Initiative Grant calls for United Ways that receive funding to leverage partnerships and relationships to better meet Covid-related essential and basic needs, which could include safe, emergency childcare, and to address other Covid-19 critical issues as they emerge. Specifically, United Way of St. Joseph County plans to release funds on a rolling basis throughout the outbreak and recovery phases to local nonprofits, making it possible to move resources quickly in response to the evolving impact. United Way of St. Joseph County is accepting funding requests from area human and social service nonprofits. Interested organizations should consult United Way of St. Joseph County’s website for guidance on funding intent and application instructions.

.

About United Way of St. Joseph County

United Way St. Joseph County fights for the education and financial stability of every person in the community.  United Way of St. Joseph County is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating long-lasting change, ensuring all residents have access to the building blocks to a better life: education, income and health. United Way is unique in its ability to bring together multiple active members in the community. With the help of business leaders, nonprofit organizations and government agencies, problems in St. Joseph County are able to be identified and changed. Our mission is to mobilize the community to collectively reduce poverty. We work with more than 50 local programs through partner agencies and over 12,000 donors, advocates and volunteers every year who in turn work with thousands of individuals and families living in poverty.

About Lilly Endowment Inc.

Lilly Endowment Inc., is a private philanthropic foundation supporting the causes of religion, education and community development focusing its work in Indianapolis and the State of Indiana. For more information, contact Judith Cebula, Communications Director at communications@lei.org.

About Indiana United Ways

Indiana United Ways is the state association for United Ways in Indiana that supports thriving United Ways through capacity building, shared services, and partnering. For more information, contact Maureen Noe, President & CEO at Maureen.noe@iuw.org.